‘Oh heavens’… this book was hilarious!!
I loved reading it (twice) and I would read it again simply because it is too cute for words!
It reminded me of myself in high school, and it really felt natural, real.. I can’t even tell you what an amazing pleasure reading this book was. And it’s so, so funny, my face hurts from so much laughing ;))
I loved the characters (all of them!), I loved the dialogue (I just could picture those people in front of me talking, and laughing, and teasing, and fighting and all.. it felt so natural), I liked the relation between Anna and Étienne (and gosh, even reading his lines I could ‘hear’ his british accent) with all the ups and downs, I loved all the conversations between them (including email/phone), all the moments when they were alone… and the ending was really sweet and it made me happy.
Also I liked the fact that (in this book) friends where there for a reason (not just for us to know that the characters are popular, or not so alone), and they were hurt when left behind, and they made mistakes but had the strength to say they were sorry.. I know that I said this before but it really felt real, like a real story about real teenagers with their problems and their falling in love..
“I’m not sure how to order.”
“Easy,” Josh says. “Stand in line. Tell them what you want. Accept delicious goodies. And then give them your meal card and two pints of blood.”
“I heard they raised it to three pints this year,” Rashmi says.
“Bone marrow,” Beautiful Hallway Boy says. “Or your left earlobe.”
And Anna had such a great ‘voice’ I loved to ‘hear’. She was funny with all her sarcastic attitude, and I enjoyed her story laughing and hoping that everything would end in a good way. Even if her main interest was a boy, this wasn’t presented in an annoying way. She was very critical about her attitude, about her feelings, and she knew when she was wrong but she couldn’t help it, and this made me like her more.. because girls are like that sometimes, I was like that..
The only problem I have with this book is the title (how can I go telling people that i love a book named ‘Anna and.. the french kiss’?! They didn’t even kiss that much anyways, LOL, it’s king of embarrassing for a favorite book title, at least at my age)..
I know, before I almost didn’t read a good book because of the cover and now the title made me think twice, but well, I am glad I read all those good reviews and changed my mind, because it’s definitely worth it..
I will keep an eye on this author, because this was just my type of read.. sweet and fun 🙂
Favorite quotes:
“I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I’m not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it.”
Watch the fan-made book trailer:
The Book Boyfriend Game
See my version of Etienne: Etienne Saint Claire
Movie of choice
When I think about this book I also think about this movie:
Letters to Juliet (2010)
What can I say – I love the kissing-in-the-grass scenes 🙂
I completely agree! I loved this book! I only finished it two days ago, and I’m still gushing over it! And I don’t normally read contemporaries!! But ahhh, I loved Anna! Like you, she reminded me of myself in highschool! (Which was only two years ago but still)
Anyway, I’m a new follower 🙂 I found your blog through a thread on Goodreads 🙂
Thanks a lot for joining the blog Taneika.
I am glad that you liked Anna and I hope that you will enjoy as well the book companion. I am now waiting for the 3rd book written by Stephanie Perkins.
I hope to see you around to talk about the books we like.. and I am always looking for something new to read, so feel free to share your favorite reads ;))
I LOVED this book soooo much too!
It definitely proves that you should not judge a book a by its cover (and in this case the title too). I was very hesitant about picking up this book, despite all the recommendations I had received from various sources, because I thought it looked kind cheesy and something a fifth grader would find enjoyable. But it was so not! I was completely blown away by it.
Like you, I loved the characters and the dialogue. But at the same time I could so relate to what Anna was feeling about moving to another country. I too had to move to a french- speaking country (Belgium and only lived like 18 km from the french border) and had to attend an american school with international students. I remember feeling the exact feelings that Anna feelt. Unfortunately I did not meet a boy like Etienne:(
But apart from that I loved the story and the romance between Anna and Etienne, being a huge sucker for romance and all:)
I also loved how the setting almost became like a character in the book, because she describes it so well. It almost feels like you are actually there! I dont think the book would have been the same if it had not been set in Paris.
Ok I’ll stop now, sorry for rambling, I just really love this book:)
Your blog too, its very pretty and interesting and you write good reviews. Even though I dont always share your opinion (Lola and the boy next door), I can see your points, and I like how you respect that other people might have another view on the book:)
So good job and keep up the good work, can’t wait to read your next review.
Wow, that’s so great, I bet you had a lot of fun in Belgium (and maybe you should have taken a trip to Paris to find your own Etienne 😛 I don’t think it’s too late now either).
Stephanie has this amazing way to make you feel like being part of the story and relate to the characters (even when in fact you don’t – for example, me).
I love her style and Anna is such a great romantic story. Anna’s friends were so full of life, and joy, and their interactions made me laugh a lot. I loved their jokes and how they cared about each other – I want them to be my friends too, LOL.
Also, like you, I thought this book was suppose to be cheesy, but I am so glad that I got past the name issue, because I loved it so, so very much ;))
Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words.
I try to tell my opinion without dismissing other people’s feelings, sometimes it works, sometimes not so much, but I enjoy sharing my experience and hearing other points of view as well. And I am always glad when someone likes a book better than me (because that’s the whole point of reading – to enjoy every minute of it)
Nice review. I enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss just as much! The story was cute, funny, and romantic. I read it in one sitting, really. Love your site so much. Just found it and I’m looking forward to the rest of your ‘reviews’. 🙂
Thank you, Danie. I am glad that you enjoyed the blog, as for the book it is still one of my favorites (probably the cutest romance story I’ve read so far). Can’t wait for the last in the ‘series’ (I don’t have a better word for these companion books)
I am Brazilian. I am delighted with his blog.
Congrats!
Thanks, hun. It means a lot to me!
O my gosh, I loved this book as well! It was hilarious, especially that part where they were emailing each other and Anna was telling him about what happened over dinner
LOL funny book, and great review! 😀
I loved that part too. The Christmas holidays were my favorite part of the story and it really shoed how their relationship progressed. Cute, funny and a bit heartwarming too. And you are right, this book was quite hilarious 😀
I bought this book because I trusted your review! Hahaha. But I won’t be able to read it instantly because there are stacks of books waiting for me haha. Anyway, I bough it because I saw that it’s one of your favorites and you know, obviously we almost have the same taste when it comes to books so if I’m going to buy something I always checked our website first hahaha. Thank you!
I really hope that you will enjoy it too. It is romantic and cute.. and funny! I got to re-read it a while ago and still liked it so very much ;))
Thank you by the way – if someone gets a book because of me it is both scary and exciting, as I don’t want them to be disappointed in any way. Crossing fingers for you to love it too!!